Holdback.



Patented Sept. 3, I901. J. C. JOYCE.

HOLDBAGK.

(No Model.)

UNi'rnn STATES PATENT Grrron.

JAMES CORNELIS JOYCE, OF FLORIDA, NEIV YORK.

HOLDBACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681,708, dated September 3, 1901. Application filed December 1, 1900. Serial No. 38,331. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, JAMES CORNELIS Jovon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Florida, in the county of Orange and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Holdback, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in holdbacks; and the object is to provide a simple device for attaching the breechingstrap to the shafts, the same being so constructed as to be capable of being readily applied to and removed from the shafts and adjusted thereon and automatically locked from backward movement, but freely movable forwardly, so that should the traces break or in any manner become detached from the harness the breeching will be released from the shafts.

With the above object in view the invention consists in the novel features of construction hereinafterfully described, particularly pointed out in the claims, and clearly illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in

Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a shaft having my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2, an end elevation of the invention; Fig. 3, a vertical sectional view thereof; and Fig. 4, a detail view of the rear end of the track, showing a top plan of the same.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, A designates the base-plate of the fixed member of my invention, the same being considerably greater in longitudinal extent than in width and secured to the shaft by screws or other securing devices. Raised from this base and extending nearly the entire length of the same is a T-shaped track 13, formed in its upper surface with a plurality of notches or teeth O, having upwardly and forwardly inclined surfaces and straight shoulders at the forward ends of said inclined surfaces. The track is formed at each side of the series of teeth with flanges D and at its rear end is inclined, as illustrated at E, to facilitate the positioning of the movable member thereon. The movable member is formed with a centrally-disposed base F, having a T-slot formed therein, so that said member may be moved upon the track. Extending upwardly from said base is a stem G, upon the forward side of which a loop H is I formed, which loop is open at its lower end,

as illustrated. Secured to the outer arm I of the loop is a spring-plate J, which closes the open end of the loop and extends into the slot of the base F and rests upon the upper surface of the track. The stem G is formed on its rear side at its lower end with an engaging portion K, which is of such size as to fit between the flanges of the track and which engages the teeth of the latter. The action of the spring-plate J is to force said engaging portion K into engagement with the teeth of the track and to cause the same to abut against the shoulders of the teeth and prevent rearward movement of said member. In order to move said member rearwardly, it is necessary to rock the same on its base, the lower walls of its slot being formed convex, as illustrated at L, to permit said rocking movement. In rocking said member in order to disengage its engaging portion from the teeth of the track it will of course be understood that the inner end of said spring is compressed. I

In operation two of the devices above described are used, one for each of the shafts, the breeching being attached to the loops, while the tracks are secured to the shafts. The movable members carrying the ends of the breeching may be very readily positioned upon the track at the inclined end thereof and adjusted to proper position. The springplates holding the engaging portions of said movable members normally abutting the straight faces of the teeth of the tracks positively prevent any backward movement of said movable members until they are rocked forwardly, as before set forth. Should the traces become disengaged from the horse or the vehicle or broken, the forward movement of the horse will move said movable members forwardly on the track and disengage the breeching from the shafts, so that the horse will not drag the vehicle by the breeching, but will be free therefrom.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A device of the character described, comprising a fixed member to be attached to the shaft, and formed with teeth, amovable memher to receive the strap and formed with a central portion movable upon said fixed member and upon which said movable member may be rocked, an engaging portion formed on one side of said central portion to engage said teeth, a loop formed on the opposite side of said central portion, and a spring holding said engaging portion in engagement with the teeth, substantially as described.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a fixed member to be secured to the shaft, formed with a series of teeth, a member movable longitudinally thereon and formed with an engaging portion to engage said teeth and an open loop, and a spring-plate carried by said loop and closing the same, and normally holding said engaging portion in engagement with the teeth, substantially as described.

3. Adevice of the character described, comprising a member to be secured to the shaft, formed with a T-traok, a member formed with a T-slot and movable longitudinally upon said track, and capable of rocking there on, an engaging portion formed on one side of said base to engage the teeth of the track, a loop formed on the other side of the base to receive the strap, and a spring carried by said loop and having. its free end extending in the slot of the base and resting upon the upper surface of the track, substantially as de- 30 \Vitnesses:

EDWARD 'M. WOODRUFF, DAVID W. BOYD. 

